July 2009

July 31, 2009

I have had so many people commenting on either my blog or by email that they cannot imagine how vast the stock that we carry really is. I decided that it was about time that I took some images of my shop and shared them with all those out there who were interested in just how vast our stock really is and how unbelievable it is to have such a collection under one roof.

Take a look for yourselves...

vintage buttons all beautifully sewn onto their original cards

Shelves holding cards of vintage dress clip and brooches as well as Swarovski crystal and not to forget the packages of beads on the bottom

Rows of vintage hair barettes on original cards

I had over the last two years covered each and every single area of wall possible with either a mural or stock..

boxes of hand sewn vintage motifs...

A original piece from my grandfathers shop that doubles as the register table and houses sequin..

Another original piece from my grandfather...

Rows of vintage European novelty trim all color co ordinated..

Boxes filled with vintage Swiss kiddies motifs..

More kiddies novelty trim all made in England and Germany

Vintage Swiss velvet ribbon ( you have to feel it to believe it!) and wonderful cards of vintage Jaquard

Vintage lingerie lace and ribbon ...

1935 French and Swiss ribbon ...

Boxes of vintage buckles..

Hand sewn vintage sequin and beaded trim...

Vintage eyelet lace...

The most beautiful lingerie lace in every shade you could imagine...

A fantastic collection of vintage costume jewellery...

All kinds of clip on earrings..

Loved playing with everything together making it fit as one ..

I hope this blog has given you a task of what Accessories of Old has under its name.. pretty amazing even if I say so myself!!! All the stock you see is available on our online site www.accessoriesofold.com

July 29, 2009

During blogging about the heart covered with sequin I decided that I had to share some images with you.

The great thing about the sequin we stock is that they are vintage.. made in France in the 1930's and STRUNG.

These days sequin are found loose and this is how you know if you are buying vintage sequin or not. What I love most is all the different shades and colors our sequin are available in take a look on my website www.accessoriesofold.com under sequin and see for yourselves all the great colors, shades as well as shapes we offer.

In the shop I have one of the original countertops that was used by my grandfather that houses all the different sequin. Each drawer is stuffed with different colors of these glittering stands..

For many years I made a style of bracelet on elastic only using sequin. They were always my best seller and continue to be after all this time. Bead and Button Magazine liked them so much they did a page on the sequin bracelets - take a look.

They are really easy to make and take a few minutes. When you knot the ends find a really pretty bead to pull the knot through. Always wear a few together as they make more of a statement this way.

July 27, 2009

I have a little felt sachet that is designed by Charlotte Lyons which has been hanging as display in my shop. There is something really pretty and sweet about it and so I decided to compose a color palette of objects I have to compliment it even more.

I chose a few pastel colored Vintage Swiss and French ribbon with a few cards of glass vintage buttons and put them all together ...

All items used in this blog are available to buy on www.accessoriesofold.com

July 25, 2009

Now that it is summer and my kids have been at home looking for things to do, I had to put on my craft cap and come up with some activities for my daughters.

I found these flip flops at the local craft store . They were really reasonable and a cute base for our craft project.

I took all my off cuts of ribbon that I have and got the girls to tie them around the plastic part of the shoe ..

Starting at the strip that goes between the toes and working up..

Double knotting each piece so it looks like this...

This is really fun and as you can see the end result is really cute... the kids love doing it, it gives them something to do and the bonus at the end is that they actually have something they have made that they can wear!!

July 21, 2009

I have to say how totally blown away I am at all the comments,emails and responses from all those who have read my recent blog about closing the shop. It is not until something is final like this that one realises just how many lives we have actually touched by opening our little shop in Bethesda. I have been telling the local and loyal clientel that have been coming in that we are planning on closing. The look on their faces are enought to replace a million words. From absolute shock to pure sadness.

Two days ago someone came in for the first time and turned around to me and said " this is one of the most beautiful shops I have ever been into." I thanked them for the compliment and then informed them that we were closing .. with that they answered back " how sad but at least I got to see something so beautiful and inspiring at least this one time"..

...for all those times and customers like these - Thank you - it is you that have made it all worth while..... It is the people that "just get it "...the people that step through the door with a shriek of " oh my goodness I do not believe what I am seeing" and then there are those that come in "for inspiration as they are feeling down and need a pick me upper" - it is those people that I am so pleased to have met and to have been able to inspire with our little store in Bethesda.

The world really is a small place when it comes to vintage lovers... and especially the USA. It is a small family where everyone knows one another. It is the appreciation,enthusiasm and sheer love of vintage that have made our days in Bethesda that much more inspiring and interesting. For that I am grateful and want to thank each and every one of you. I hope we will be able to inspire, serve and continue on with each and everyone of you on our website www.accessoriesofold.com

July 16, 2009

Two years ago we decided to expand our internet company and open a retail store. One of my personal dreams when we came to live in the USA was to bring over the business that my grandfather had started as a immigrant in 1918 and for me ( as a immigrant too) was to continue his legacy and have it on a third continent.- that being the USA. So, first we started doing shows, getting our name out there and then went into opening a website www.accessoriesofold.com. The next obvious step to me was to open up a brick and mortar store where we could have the stock out for everyone to appreciate it up,close and be able to touch it. ( as touch is a major part of creativity)

It has been two years now and our lease has come to an end. I have decided not to renew it and to close down our store and move back to only being internet based and to continue with shows.

I could put it down to the economy and bad timing..who knows.

What I do know is this.. I loved each and every moment of setting it up.

I do know that it was well worth meeting all the wonderful and creative people who came into the shop and then come back always bringing friends from out of town and using us as one of their first tourist spots in Bethesda... And then not to forget those who flew from all over the USA to see for themselves all our wares.

Someone I know always says the following " life is a series of mistakes you just have to be brave enough to make some of them."

I believe this. Not to say opening was a mistake. It certainly was not.

It was on my bucket list and I have done it. Now it is time to move on and continue with other experiences. My shop is definitely one of inspirations if not the main inspiration for me starting a blog, starting our sister company www.tjomievintagestationery.com and for building onto our existing business www.accessoriesofold.com

So, for all of you that are local out there and can drive to Bethesda keep checking on my blog as we are going to be having some clearances up to when we close ( end August)

Everyone else do not fear you will still find whatever we have in our shop on line at www.accessoriesofold.com and if you need you can email me and we can set up a private viewing of stock in our warehouse facilities for wholesale.

July 15, 2009

One of the most common questions most people ask when they are in my shop is what the paper bricks on the bottom shelves contain?

The answer is beads... lots and lots of vintage bugal and seed beads that all came wrapped and sealed and have been kept this way since my grandfather first bought them from Europe.

A peak into a 'brick' of beads.. wrapped in layers of paper and tissue paper are bundles of glittering beads

All our beads are available to buy on our website and soon will be sold in the actual bricks online too.If you are intrested in the 'whole brick' email me and I will be happy to let you know what we have available.

July 14, 2009

Yes, it's that time of the year again where vintage and antique lovers from all over the world collect in one spot - Brimfield.

Each and every year we exhibit at the show. It is out of this world and has put us on the map internationally with buyers from every continent who have found us at Brimfield and who have continued to do business with us year after year.

For all of you that are going to be there this year don't forget to find Andrew. He will be at Quacker Acres at booth #34.

July 13, 2009

Ok I know I have blogged and carried on about my friend Albertus Swanepoel many times, but hey what can you do when you are bursting with pride. My friend is now larger than life ( literally) When you see yourself on a billboard in New York City you then know you have made it - and made it he has.

Albertus has just launched a whole range of hats in Gap which are reasonably priced yet very stylish

Here are two from his collection...

I am just oozing with pride over my talented friend. ...

So ladies, hang on to those frocks and dash of to your closest Gap store and get yourself a Albertus Swanepoel hat xxxx

July 10, 2009

I have blogged about our stock of European vintage hair barrettes a few times. We have large stocks of barrettes and not only are they my favorites but they are amongst our biggest sellers on our website.

What I love most about the barrettes is not only the actual barrette but the card that it comes on. I have taken a few and framed them and hung them up in my daughters bedroom... take a look at some of the good girls on the cards..

I am sure you will agree that these ladies look like butter would not melt in their mouths... pure and ever so feminine.

Each card is it's own little piece of art.

This card makes me laugh as the picture of the lady is a wee bit seductive in her evening gown and yet they have paired her up with the little duck barrettes!!

Last but not least the good old faithful bobby clips - love the lady on this card she has a really cheeky look on her face

These are just a few of the cards that I love - I am sure you would agree that the old graphics on the cards are wonderful and fun. Think of the different graphics we have now to what was then.. not only that but the role woman played then to now! Food for thought.

July 08, 2009

Last week, I was in New York for the day to see a good friend of mine who was on business in the city for a few days. I have to say in life we come across a few people that touch us and no matter how long we do not see that person there is always a connection. This friend of mine I have known since I was 18 years old at Art School. Most of our lives we have lived on different continents and yet when we see one another it is if time has stood still. So, there we were with only a few hours to spend together and one of the first things we did was head down to Magnolia Bakery in the village.

For any of you who do not know about Magnolia Bakery this is the time to get to know!!!!!! Wow! I am not a big cake person but I have a thing for cupcakes. There tucked away is a little corner bakery that does not look like much from the outside but boy oh boy this is one case of not to judge a book by its cover!!!!

The line of people waiting to get there fix goes on all day long... and let me tell you its well worth the wait.... and the calories!

The cupcakes are orgasmic and so is the banana pudding they are famous for.

My advice to you. If you are ever in NYC take the time to seek out a Magnolia Bakery closest to you. They have three different locations in the city.... and not to mention their own recipe book too.